PINARENO
The Original Sound From The Tobacco Road Of Cuba
(c) (p) 1998 Alula Records, Inc.
13tks/61mins

If we think, what we know about Cuba? One can remember the words "Cuban rum", and of course "Cuban cigars". And our way lies to the local tobacco fields, aside of large cities. Namely there, in the country of this small island a special culture and beautiful folk music were formed. With varied Cuban folk acquaints us the album "Pinareno", in which traditional songs of this very talented and musical people are collected, which were performed by various local groups including more than 100 (!) professional artists. I need to say that Cuban music is very special: it contains many styles. And one more thing: in this music one can feel African roots. And if we add, that many trends of modern music (especially Latin-American music) originate from the Cuban folk, then you will see its special coloring. By the way, jazz is in large extent inspired by the Cuban music. In "Pinareno" you can hear dance melodies, performed in ?ontroversia, which can be named in some sense a great-grandfather of modern rap (composition "Campesino Guyaguateje"). Also, here presents the son - fiery dance music, which has appeared in the end of last century in Cuban province (composition "Aldo del Rio"). The rhythms of son are close to tango and cha-cha-cha. One can not imagine Cuban culture without this music! The album also contains fast rumba columbia (composition "Oban Yoko"), where Spanish and African roots have interlaced together. It is interesting to mention that this very dance was especially popular among sea port workers. In general, in the album is collected a lot of the most varied music.

I need to say that compilers of "Pinareno" made everything with big love and respect both to Cuban music and for those who will listen to this CD. In booklet to "Pinareno" is not only told in short about every group, which took part in the record of the album, but also is given the description of every style presented in the CD. Plus the texts of the songs in Spanish are given, with their meaning in English. In general, everything is thought over very good, and along with original music one can find here just a lot of very interesting information.

In the end, I'd like to add some words about Alula Records company, which released this album. This small independent lable specializes in releasing of folk music from the entire world. Alula Records has a difficult but very generous mission: to make this music achievable for the broadest circle of listeners. With that, the company is trying not only to discover new artists, being not similar to anyone, but also to pay attention to such a "small things" as aesthetic design of the CDs and perfect sound. I thank the company very much for these efforts. I will tell here my subjective point of view: future is for these small frontier-studious. Namely these bold and aimed people, as those working in Alula Records determine the direction in which consequently will go others. To be convinced in this, one can hear to "Pinareno" - a unique collection of music from Cuban tobacco plantations.

Serge Kozlovsky